Changing Landscapes: Symposium on the Arts & Disability

Symposium to strengthen opportunities for artists with disabilities

The Institute on Community Integration was proud to co-host the Symposium on the Arts & Disability to share ideas and strengthen opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the arts. This event was free and open to the public. A broad range of audiences attended, ranging from artists with and without disabilities, art curators, art teachers, disability services providers, members of the University community, and the general public from around the state of Minnesota. Participants:

Heard ideas for supporting and increasing involvement of individuals with disabilities in the arts

Learned how artists, art educators, and program directors envision increased inclusion of artists with disabilities

Learned of mainstream and international collaborative projects supporting artists with disabilities

Heard artists share about their creative process

Viewed artwork by artists with disabilities

Networked with others interested in the arts and disability

We were honored to have Tom di Maria, director of Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, California, as our keynote speaker. In addition, three panels of prominent artists, educators, and programming administrators added to the discussion of ways to strengthen opportunities for artists with disabilities.

Background

The Institute applied for and received a small grant from the College of Education and Human Development in May 2007 to host a revolving exhibit of artwork by artists with disabilities from area community arts programs (Courage Center, Partnership Resources, Inc., and Interact Center for the Visual & Performing Arts). The purpose of this initiative was to bring staff closer to the artistic lives of people with disabilities, while also brightening our workplace and providing exposure to artists in the area. This project was so successful that it continues today - we regularly hang new art from a different set of artists in Minnesota - and it has inspired this symposium to broaden our outreach and share ideas on how better to serve artists with disabilities.